Political risks exist in dredging

Political risks arising from vested interests and regime changes could affect dredging projects, and contractors need to calculate the risks before committing to these.

The Abbot Point expansion project in Australia is an example of this, panellists said at the Dredging & Land Reclamation Asia Summit in Singapore today (21 May).

Environmentalists have been protesting against the proposed Abbot Point expansion project because of its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef.

Akuna Dredging Solutions director Jack Kerklaan said, “Currently, many projects in Queensland are being delayed, re-assessed, reviewed, while other solutions are being studied. We could have predicted this because environmentalists have been lobbying very hard to force the Australian government to do something.”

Aurecon’s ports and marine leader Jeroen Overbeek said political trends could be predicted, especially when advanced nations have more stringent regulations. By staying aware of trends like these, contractors can assess the risks, said Kerklaan.